Announcements

March 2008
In 2008 we celebrate the first official year for the Learning Sciences SIG (formerly EST). The new focus is evident in the sessions we are sponsoring this year, which investigate learning across a wide range of innovative environments, through a broad set of theoretical lenses, and using a variety of methodological approaches. Below, we outline plans for the joint LS/ATL business meeting, and provide a schedule and overview of sessions sponsored by the SIGs or otherwise of interest to our members. Please join us for a lively business meeting, and at as many other sessions as you can.

Information about our business meeting and the SIG LS/ATL Sessions at this year's conference.

February 2008
AERA has recently released the program for the 2008 meeting in New York. This will be our first year with the official Learning Sciences SIG name (formerly Education in Science and Technology) and we have a number of excellent sessions that fit the new emphasis. In the next few weeks will will highlight some of the sessions that we are sponsoring, but we have a few key announcements first:

We will have an extended business meeting this year - technically LS and ATL will have separate back to back meetings - on Tuesday evening March 25 from 4:05 - 7:45 in the Marriott Westside Ballroom Salon 2 (5th floor). The extended time will allow for a number of business items and a presentation of the new Project Based Inquiry Science Curriculum and a discussion of news emerging graduate programs on Learning Sciences.

Best Student Paper Award
We are also proud to announce the competition for the 2008 Best Student Paper award. Any student member of SIG LS or ATL who is first author on a paper presented this meeting can apply for a the award which includes a $250 honorarium sponsored by Leap Frog Inc. Papers must be submitted to the committee by March 10th. For more information see the student paper award website at
http://inst.usu.edu/~mimi/sigaward/.

Jan Hawkins Award
There is also the upcoming deadline in the Call for Nominations for the Jan Hawkins award. Nominations (including self nominations) need to be submitted electronically by February 25th.

We look forward to seeing everyone in New York,

Brian Foley, SIG ATL Chair
Tobin White, SIG LS Chair

August 2007
Dear SIG LS/ATL Members,

We hope you are all working on proposals to submit for AERA 2007. A reminder that the submission deadline for all SIGs is August 2nd.

Keep in mind this is the first year for the new name for the Learning Sciences SIG (formerly Education, Science and Technology). Please be sure when you pay your dues, submit your proposal and sign up to be a reviewer that you look for the new SIG name. The name change also presents a great opportunity to attract new members to our community. We are adding more information to the website and you can do your part to get the message out to people who are interested in the Learning Science but might not know about the new SIG name.

Finally, do please consider being a reviewer this year. Your help in this will be critical to identifying a strong program that will move forward discussions and insights within our community.

Thank you for your participation!
Tobin White, Chair SIG Learning Sciences
Brian Foley, Chair SIG Advanced Technology for Learning